Anthony Perenise has joined Bath Rugby with immediate effect to help ease the Aviva Premiership's front row injury concerns before the new season kicks off.

The 34 year-old prop returns to his former club having spent three seasons with Bristol Rugby.

Perenise made 52 appearances for Bristol and scored one try since his arrival in the summer of 2014. He made his first 2017/18 pre-season appearance for the club against Scarlets on Saturday in their 26-33 defeat.

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Talking to bristolrugby.co.uk Bristol Rugby head Coach Pat Lam said: "At this stage of Anthony's career, it's a great opportunity for him to play in the Premiership with Bath, where he still lives,"

"We thank Anthony for his contribution to Bristol Rugby and wish him the very best for the future."

The move is also a sensible one for Bristol, who have plenty of front row talent in their squad, certainly enough to dominate the Greene King IPA Championship, and were unlikely to get the best out of the Samoan next year, when he would be 35, and when they club to be in the topflight.

The 30 cap international was also understood to accounting for a significant amount of the clubs' wage bill which will now be freed up.

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Perenise made 85 appearances for Bath before making the 12 mile switch to Bristol, making a name for himself with a dynamic ball carrying game. Sadly it was a side of his game which wasn't seen enough at Ashton Gate and despite his international experience Perenise's scrummaging game was not an area of strength.